I had a fantastic experience at the Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel, so I decided to try out another one of their hotels in Siem Reap. The hotel in Siem Reap was designed as a resort, providing an entirely different atmosphere compared to the modern luxury of the Phnom Penh hotel. The ambience was very relaxing, and I enjoyed every moment of my stay there.
Location
I found the hotel’s location a bit far from the city centre, which was slightly inconvenient. I usually prefer to stay in a quieter area that’s also easily accessible to the city centre. The location wasn’t a big issue for me as I was part of a tour and had organized transport to Angkor Wat and the airport; it was a bit challenging during my free days. However, I was fortunate to have two reliable tuk-tuk drivers stationed outside my hotel, which made it easier to get around Siem Reap. It took about 10 minutes on the tuk-tuk to get to the centre of Siem Reap, and for $4, I found it to be reasonable. The drivers were also happy to take guests further afield, but I didn’t have enough time to explore the wider area.
The room
I had the pleasure of experiencing a refurbished ground-floor family room. The room was spacious and had a small seating area in front of the balcony, which was a perfect spot to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.
The room’s earthy and traditional design was a beautiful representation of Angkor’s rich history, adding a unique touch to the overall experience. After moving from one hotel to another every night for an eternity, having a relaxing room with a space to unwind was a refreshing sight.
There were two single beds in the room, and I had the hard decision of choosing one to sleep in, while my photographer had a very comfortable camp bed. The beds were extremely comfortable, and I had no trouble falling asleep at night. My favourite part of the layout in a Sokha hotel is the corridor separating the beds from the entrance. The separation ensured I had a quiet room, perfect for a peaceful night’s sleep.
One of the advantages of staying at this hotel was that it was barely at one-quarter capacity, and even with a conference in the hotel, I felt like the only guest! The room I stayed in was quiet, and even though it was on the ground floor, I didn’t feel like people were looking into my room as they walked to the pool.
For the first time, I will admit that I didn’t use the balcony during my stay because I was so close to the pool. Since my room was on the ground floor, I had no view of the area and felt no need to use it. Although I was overlooking the garden and a walkway, I still had some privacy.
The room provided plenty of storage space, including a small fridge where I could store drinks and snacks. Finally, I had a hotel room with a comfortable sitting area, which allowed me to relax and enjoy some downtime. With coffee-making facilities and a fridge to store my snacks, I could spend a peaceful afternoon indoors, enjoying the cool air conditioning.
The Bathroom
The recurring theme of windows in the bathroom was present in the Sokha Siem Reap. I could wave at my photographer while relaxing in the roll-top bathtub. Moreover, the blackout blinds provided complete privacy, a welcome relief.
One of the standout features of Sokha hotels is their bathroom layout, and this hotel was no exception. The room contained another roll-top bathtub, which was just as comfortable as the one in my previous Sokha hotel. In addition, there was a separate rainfall shower, which was a great feature. I appreciated the separate facilities because they made the hotel room more accessible and comfortable.
The hotel staff thoughtfully placed complimentary water in the bathroom, which was a nice touch, given that I was advised not to drink the tap water or brush my teeth with it. It saved me the trouble of finding water elsewhere. The staff was helpful throughout my stay, and I appreciated their hospitality.
Dining
During my stay at the hotel, I had the chance to experience their breakfast buffet at the Lotus Restaurant. Although the hotel was relatively empty, the breakfast selection satisfied my appetite. I enjoyed trying Western breakfast items like porridge, and there were also plenty of Asian dishes such as pho to choose from.
While the poolside Khmer Bistro was closed, I was pleased to find a waiter from the Champa Cafe who was happy to bring drinks across. I would have loved to enjoy a wood-fired pizza and a movie on the large screen above the swimming pool, but unfortunately, it wasn’t open during my stay.
I dined at the Lotus restaurant two nights in a row and was impressed with the quality of the food. As a vegetarian, I found that the dining options in the hotel were somewhat limited. However, the restaurant staff were incredibly accommodating and created some delicious vegetarian dishes for me that weren’t on the menu. Although I did eat a lot of pasta during my stay, it was a nice change from the spicy Asian food I had been eating throughout my trip.
For my final meal at the hotel, I opted for pizza and iced coffee at the Champa Café. The al fresco setting beneath a huge tree surrounded by tropical gardens was delightful. I even had a tiny gecko for company during lunch, and watching it do parkour up and down the walls was a fascinating experience. Overall, the hotel provided a great dining experience. I was grateful for the staff going above and beyond to accommodate my dietary needs during my stay.
Facilities
During my stay at the hotel, I was pleasantly surprised by the incredible swimming pool. It was huge, spanning 1050 square meters, and even had a TV screen at one end. I used the pool every day during my stay and was delighted to find barely any other guests around, which meant I often had the pool to myself.
One of the best features of the pool was its depth. Over half of the pool was shallow enough to walk comfortably, which was perfect since I’m not a very confident swimmer (dinosaur arms don’t work well in water). I loved floating around the pool and relaxing in the cabanas after a busy morning of exploring.
While the Jasmine Spa unfortunately remained closed during my stay, the conference centre was bustling with activity. I appreciated how it was in a separate building from the hotel, which prevented it from getting too crowded.
The hotel lobby was another one of my favourite spots in the hotel. I loved sitting there and watching time fly by. The ceiling contained many beautiful spotlights, giving the impression that they were stars, and the ambience was calming and relaxing. My favourite spot in the lobby was the swing chair. I was surprised to find the chair was often empty. I enjoyed lounging on it and even convinced my photographer to try it.
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